Stanton's new deal also good for teammates

MIAMI -- Signing Giancarlo Stanton long term finally effectively puts to rest endless speculation that the slugger will eventually be traded.

Although the Marlins repeatedly stated they never intended to move their two-time All-Star, with or without a multiyear contract, the rumors persisted. Had they continued, it could have been disruptive to the rest of Miami's players.

MIAMI -- Signing Giancarlo Stanton long term finally effectively puts to rest endless speculation that the slugger will eventually be traded.

Although the Marlins repeatedly stated they never intended to move their two-time All-Star, with or without a multiyear contract, the rumors persisted. Had they continued, it could have been disruptive to the rest of Miami's players.

"I think it's a big distraction, I don't care what anybody says," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "We've got to focus on what we've got to focus on, and that's playing baseball. You can't help having reporters coming in every day and saying, 'Hey, what do you think about Stanton? Is he going to go?' I think this quiets that, and allows us to focus on baseball, and doing our job."

As a team, the Marlins are obviously elated that one of the premier players in the game is signed for 13-years and $325 million.

"This is exciting," manager Mike Redmond said. "This was our No. 1 goal going into the offseason. We started talking about it the day after the season ended. We talked about a lot of different scenarios. We're just way better with him in the lineup, and being with this team for a long time."

Several of Stanton's teammates attended Wednesday's news conference that announced the record-setting deal. Saltalamacchia, Steve Cishek, Tom Koehler, A.J. Ramos and Marcell Ozuna were on hand, offering their support.

"It's reassuring to see the Marlins make this big step, and hopefully add more pieces around him," Cishek said.

Like Stanton, Cishek came up through the Marlins' system. Together, they've seen their share of roster turnover.

Stanton could have joined the list. But the 6-foot-6, 250-pounder bought into the franchise's vision that better days are ahead.

If Stanton had decided to not sign, and played out the string in Miami and became a free agent after the 2016 season, the questions about being traded would have remained.

"We try not to think about that stuff, but sometimes it's in the back of your head," Cishek said. "Obviously, he's our best player, and one of the best players in baseball.

"You're always curious to see what the team is going to do. It's awesome to see them put together a number like that to get him locked in for that many years. That's like half his life."

Saltalamacchia, entering the second year of a three-year, $21 million deal, says keeping Stanton sends a signal to the rest of the clubhouse that the team is open to offering big contracts.

"This is big," the veteran catcher said. "If you're willing to [give] that type of money [to] one player, you're willing to [give] money [to] other players. That's how I look at it. We're hoping. This team is good.

"It means a lot. It shows the commitment that the front office is willing to make to the players, especially a guy like him. It's not about getting a player who's a good player. It's a guy who is good in the clubhouse, a guy who is good off the field. I think he represents that perfectly."